Osteria Cucina Rustica Brings Rustic Italian to Marlboro

Marlboro is about to get some new flavor.

Osteria Cucina Rustica is set to open next Thursday, offering traditional Italian fare with a twist.

Owners Steve Botta and Angelo Bongiovanni also own Brando's Citi Cucina in Asbury Park, and were eager to expand.

Now the two are opening in a former bank on Route 79, after months of negotiating with the landlord and construction.

"We were passing by, and it was empty so we starting moving forward," Botta said.

The rustic Italian menu boasts homemade food from appetizers to dessert. Known for their meatballs, Botta said the goal is to bring Italy home.

"There are some twists on what people are familiar with in America."

Osteria will locally source their summer vegetables from county farms, some in Freehold and Colts Neck. 

Even the interior brings a whole lot of Italy to Marlboro. The restaurant has reclaimed barn wood floors and a chefs table in a cozy part of the restaurant, next to the wine room of course. 

Osteria Cucina Rustica will open to the public on Thursday. Stick with Patch, we'll let you know how delicious the food is.